A NORTHWICH burglar has admitted stealing bank cards and using them to buy booze and other items.

Shaun Kelly, of Beech Grove in Weaverham, also broke into a home in Acton Bridge and stole items ranging from ladies shoes to a telescope.

The 36-year-old was appearing at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, March 8, where he admitted to a total of eight charges.

Five of those offences related to matters of fraud when the thief used bank cards he had stolen from a lady's handbag in various shops around the town.

Kelly stole the handbag from a car on January 4 and within hours was using the bank cards to buy more than £200 worth of goods.

His array of fradulant purchases included spending £84 at Bargain Booze in Weaverham, as well as more than £30 at both Tesco Express and the Co-op.

The brazen thief also entered guilty pleas to two counts of burglary relating to stealing from a house in Acton Bridge.

Between January 7 and 14 he entered the home and stole two pairs of ladies shoes, a doorkey, various items of crockery and glassware as well as 30 pairs of earrings.

Not to be deterred, he returned to the home betwen January 19 and February 6, this time stealing a telescope, an ornamental plate, a rug, and an ornamental cannon.

Kelly has been remanded in custody and will return to Chester Crown Court to be sentenced on April 27.